Container



p 1941- M. SCHARMETT 2,254,453

CONTAINER Original Filed March 25. 1938 Q I F1 .7 F g- INVENTOR MAX SCHARMETT TTORNEY Patented vSept. 2, 1941 CONTAINER MaxScharmett, Ansonia, Cnn., assignor' to 'GeorgeE. Scharmett, Ansonia, Conn.

Substitutedfor abandonedapplication Serial-No. 1975996, March25,1938. This application Jan- 'uary 15, 1941, Serial N 0. 374,527 1 -6 Claims. ,(Cl. 220-24).

"the depression in the Thisinvention relates to new-and useful improvements in containers and has particular relation-toa container which while sealed in an air tight'manner and thus being adapted for the holding of liquids may be opened for the discharge of itscontents withoutthe use of any kin'dof opener-ortool.

Thisapplication is a substitute for applicants application-Serial-No. 197,996 filed Mar. 25, 1938.

'The'objects and advantages of the invention will becomeapparentfrom a consideration of the following-detailed description taken in connection-with the accompanying drawingwherein satisfactory embodiments of the invention are shown. "However, it is to beunderstood that the invention is not limited to the details disclosed but includes-all such variations and modifications as fall within the spirit of the invention and the scope-of the appended claims.

''In the drawing: I

Fig. 1-is a-top plan view of a container constructed in accordance with the invention Fig. 2 is a sectional view through the upper portion of the container of Fig. 1, the view being on an-enlarged scale and showing the improved sealing or closing means;

Fig. -3 is a view somewhat similar to FigfZ but showing the sealing means'justprior to the final step of applying "the same;

Fig. 4 is a perspective View of i one member of the-sealing means;

Fig.5 is a view similar to Fig. 2 but showing a modification;

Fig. 6'is'a sectional-view showing a modified construction of sealing member;

Fig. 7 is a sectional view showing another modification of sealing member holding means;

Fig. -8 is atop plan view of a container, the view :showing a slight modification;

Fig.9 is a detailed sectional view on an enlarged scale .and showing a modification; and I0 "is a similar view showing another modification.

Referring in detail to the drawing and at first more particularly to Figs. 1 through 4 at I is shown a metal container including a top wall l6 having a centrally arranged neck-like portion I11 provided at'its outer end with a bead or inturned flange !8. Obviously the neck when open gives access to the interior of the container. The portion 19 of wall it inclines from the lower'or inner end .of the-neck ll whereby the'latter'is arranged centrally of a depressed portion of the wall.

":The arrangement is such that the depth of wall 'lfijis such'that the upperor outer side of the head or flange lfl is below-thegupper or outer surface. of the outer edge-portions of the wall. Thus .the.bea1 d l8.is also below or inwardly of'the bead or seamlll between the wall 16 and: the sidewall. 2 I Of the container. Thepurpose of this construction will later be'fully set forth.

Within *theneck H. is a container sealing means generally designated 22' and including a disc-like metalmember 23 the center portion of which-is bowed upwardly while the edge D01- tions '24 thereof are flat. The bowed center portionprovides abutton-like part to be pressed to unseal thecontainer as will appear On the flat edge portions 24 of the member 23 is a gasket '25 of compressible mateiial as gum rubber or the like. When the container is in sealed condition the gasket 25' is beingpressed tightly against the bead l8 and is compressed between the bead and the member 23 whereby to form a seal between-said parts and to sealthe container. V j

The-member23is held in place by a metal disc-like means 26. Means 26 is applied as suggested in Fig. 3' wherein'the parts are shown prior t'o the sealing. There it will be noted that gasket 25' is not ;compressed andthat the means 26 has its edges engaging the inner surface of the neck I! and its intermediate or center-por-i tion boweddownwardlyor inwardly of ,the container. With the parts positioned as'in Fig.3 the means 26 is forced in place by pressure .applied to its centerportion with theresult that as such center portion attempts "to straighten under the applied pressure its edges areforced against the inner'surface of the neck [1.

As a result of the application of such pressure the means 26 ,assumes the shape shown in Fig. 2 wherein its edge portions .21 have straightened to engage the inner surface of the'neck [1 over a slight area as at 28 and the center portion of the means 26, when viewed in'Fig. 2, is bowed outwardly or the reverse of its bow as viewed in Fig. 3. Thus the 'meansf26 as it is being fully applied forces the member 23 to a position wherein the gasket 25 is compressed and the means when fully in position holds the member 23 in position keeping the gasket compressed and.

the container sealed in an air-tight manner.

From the above'it will be apparent that the container of the invention is adapted for the reception of liquids as well as solids .or semisolids. When it is desired to gain access to the contents of the container itis but necessary to pressinwardly on the center portion of the member 23, such portion of the member being, as shown best in Figs. 1 and 2, exposed through the open end of the neck II.

The construction described is such that the seal 22 may be pressed into the container so as to open the neck I! to give access to the contents of the container, merely by'pushing on the member 23 'with the thumb-or finger." The seal is held in place due to the forced fit of the the plane of the peripheral portion of wall' l6 and particularly below theplane; of the.seam*or';

bead between such wall and the side wall ofthe container. Therefore when the containers are. stacked there is no danger of the-seal casually engaged and loosened. a

Fig. 5 shows a modification wherein the container includes the top wall l6, neck and bead |8as previously described. In the modification the seal. generally designated .30 includes a cork or other compressible'sealing member 3| having a covering of metal'foil or the-;like 32 thereon. Member 3| isheld withits edge 'portion pressed against the inner surface of bead l8 by a means 33 comprising a. disc-like piece of metal and being the same as the means 26 above described. In Fig. 5 means 33 is shown as when'holdingthe cork disc-likefmember 3|.in sealed position and it isnoted that the center or intermediateportion of] the means is straightacross and not-concave as in thecase of the means 26 of --Fig. 2 Whether this mansis straight across as in Fig. 5 or concave as in Fig. 2 depends on the pressure exerted in forcing it to position. -Means 33 has forced frictional engagementwitn .the inner surface of the neck I] as at 34 and thus is heldin position and serves to hold the member 3| in position with its edge portions compressed between the means and the inner surfaceof bead l8 whereby thecontainer, is sealed. x

Fig. 6 shows a metal disc-like member 35 which may beused in place.of. the member 23 above described. Member 35 is curved for its entire diameter and isnot provided with aflat edge portion but otherwise it functions for the purpose and in the manner of the member 23. About theedgeportion of member 35 is located or arrangeda gasket 36 of rubber or other compressible material to function as and 'forthepurpose set forth in connection with the gasket 25 of Figs. 1through4. g

Fig. '7 shows a means 4|] designated to be used in place of the means 26 .of Figs. -1 through 4 or the means 33 of Fig 5. Means 40 comprises a metal disc-like piece havingza fiarin'gperipheral portion 4| designed tobe forced into a tight frictional engagement with the inner surface of a neck portion of a container as will be understood whereby to secure sealing members as in Figs. 1

through 6 against an inturned flange or bead on said neck portion. V 1

The purpose of Fig. 8 is simply to illustrate that the sealing means of the invention need not be. circular but may be provided with straight. edge portions as in the mentioned figure whereintheedgeportions of the sealing means are octag- :2 bein onal. Other shapes may be used as desired and y it is intended to cover such-other shapes in such claims as specify the sealing member or the sealing'means as disc-like." The container of Fig.

8 is generally designated 44 and includes a neck] 7 portion 45 having an octagonalbead ,or flange 46- i -169F sa di ek- Obviously the;

means 26 in the neck portion of the container; f 53 of rubber or the like.

It is noted that all portions of the seal are below...,

2,254,453 I I {I Q edges of the sealing or closing member 41 and any securing means employed therewith as well as the inner surface of the neck 45 may be octagonal or other configuration as desired.

In the modification of Fig. 9 the top wall 50 of a container is provided with a neck 5| corresponding with the neck I! above described and at its outer end the neck5| includes an inturned flange or bead '52. Held compressed 'against the inner surface of bead 52 is a compressible gasket Gasket 53 together with a disc-like metal member 54 serves to close the neck 5| in an air tight manner. Member 54 in- :cludes a button-like center portion 55 to be engaged by the thumb for the purpose of pushing the closureflor seal into the container when the contents thereof are to be discharged. Also member 54 includes an annular depressed portion 56 from the upper edge of the outer portion 51 of which projects a feather edge 58. When the member and gasket are placed in the neck-5| the'portion 56 of the member is engaged with any suitable tool and pressure applied throughxthe tool. I This applied pressure tends to flatten the portion 56 with the result that the feather edge 58 is forced against'the inner surface of the neck 5| whereby the member is frictionally held in the neck and maintains the gasket in compressed condition. That is, the gasket is compressed be-, tween the inner surface of the bead and theouter peripherial edge portion of member 54. Thus the container is sealed in anair tight manner. To open the container no tools are needed as-by pressing the portion-55 of the member 54 with the thumb the entire seal or closure may be pushed into the container. 1 Referring now to Fig. 10 the modification there shown comprises a substantial reversal of the construction shown in Fig. 9. In Fig. 10 the container top wall 60 is provided-with the neck6l having the bead 62. at it outer end. Within the neck is a sealincluding the compressed. gasket 63 of rubberor the like and ametal disc-like member 64 supporting the gasket and maintain ing it in compressed condition againstthe inner surface of the bead 62. Member 64 includes a button-like portion 65 to be engaged by gthe thumb and pressed when it is desired topush the closure or seal into the container for the purpose of gaining access to its contents.

In addition the member includes a portion 66 which has been engaged by a suitable tool through which pressure has been-applied to the member wherebyits feather edge portion 61 has been forced against the inner surface of the neck 6| of they container. Obviously the gasket 63 forms a seal between the edge portion of meme. ber 64 and the bead 62 whereby the container, is sealed in an air-tight manner. To open the container no tools are required as it is but. necessary to engage the button-like portion .65 and press the sealing means into the container in order to gain access to the contents of the container.

From the above it will be understood that in the device disclosed in the various forms of-the invention the use of can openers and the like is not necessary for the opening of the container of the invention. The present container is adapted for the holding of liquids as well 'as semisolids and solids. When the parts are-properly in pace the container is tightly sealed and as the sealing means is in each instance below the up' per surface of the container there is no danger! of the container being casually opened and yetiit may be opened simply by pressing the seal into the container through pressure applied by the thumb or finger.

Having thus set forth the nature of my invention, what I claim is:

1. In a container, a body comprising a neck portion having a pouring opening surrounded by an inturned bead, a closure Within said portion and comprising a compressed gasket seated against the inner surface of said head, a stiff metal disc-like member at the inner side of said gasket and pressing the same against said bead and closing said pouring opening, and a spring metal disc frictionally engaging said neck and holding said member in position to maintain said gasket compressed between the member and bead whereby to seal the container and permit of the opening thereof by pressing the member into the container.

2. In a container, a body including a portion having side walls and an inturned bead on said walls, a closure within said portion and comprising a compressible element seated against the inner surface of said bead, a stifi metal disc-like member at the inner side of said element, and a spring metal disc at the inner side of said member and frictionally engaging said side walls and supporting said member in position compressing said element against the bead whereby to seal the container and whereby the latter may be opened by pushing the member to dispose it and the means inwardly of the container.

3. In a container, a body comprising a portion having side Walls and an inturned bead on said walls, a closure within said portion and comprising a gasket seated against the inner surface of said bead, a stiff metal disc-like member at the inner side of said gasket in position spanning the space between the inner portions of said bead, and a spring metal disc at the inner side of said member and frictionally engaging said side walls and supporting said member in position compressing said gasket against the bead whereby to seal the container and whereby the latter may be opened by pushing the member to dispose it and the means inwardly of said bead.

4. In a container, a body comprising a neck portion having a pouring opening surrounded by an inturned head, a closure within said portion and comprising a compressed gasket seated against the inner surface of said bead, a stiff metal disc-like member at the inner side of said gasket and pressing the same against saidbead and closing said pouring opening, a normally concavo-convex spring metal disc which is normally of the same diameter as the interior of said neck portion, said disc having its center portion forced out of normal whereby its diameter is increased and its edges forced against the inner surface of said neck portion at the inner side of said member, and said disc thereby holding the member in position maintaining the gasket compressed between the member and bead whereby to seal the container and yet permit of the opening thereof by pressing of the member into the container.

5. In a container, a body comprising a neck portion having a pouring opening surrounded by an inturned bead, a compressed gasket seated against the inner surface of said bead, a rigid metal disc member at the inner side of the gasket and pressing the same against the inner surface of said bead and closing said pouring opening, means located at the inner side of said member and engaging the under side edge portion thereof and holding the member in position to maintain the gasket compressed, said means including a peripheral portion which normally has a snug fit in said neck portion, said means including a normally concave-convex portion, and said concavo-convex portion forced out of normal whereby the diameter of the means is increased and the periphery thereof forced into locking engagement with the inner surface of the neck portion.

6. In a container, a body comprising a neck portion having a pouring opening surrounded by an inturned bead, a compressed gasket seated against the inner surface of said bead, a rigid metal disc member at the inner side of said gasket and pressing the same against the bead and including a portion closing said pouring opening, means located inwardly of said portion closing said pouring opening and holding the member in position to maintain the gasket compressed, said means including a peripheral portion which normally has a snug fit in said neck portion, said means including a portion normally concavoconvex in cross section, and said last named portion forced out of normal whereby the diameter of the means is increased and the periphery thereof forced into locking engagement with the inner surface of said neck portion.

MAX SCHARME'II. 

